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Australia - Morkel punt backfires at SCG

Updated - 6/1/2009 - abc news online.

South Africa’s surprising decision to open with Morne Morkel has backfired with Doug Bollinger claiming his first wicket on day four of the third Test at the SCG.

Paceman Morkel replaced the injured Graeme Smith and the punt lasted just two deliveries as he chipped to a diving Mitchell Johnson at mid-on to leave the Proteas 1 for 2.

The tourists are chasing 376 to sweep the series and take Australia’s world number one ranking, after Australia declared on 4 for 257.

South Africa will have a minimum 116 overs to make the runs but history is against it.

Australia’s 2 for 288 against the Proteas three years ago is the highest second-innings score at the ground.

To keep up with the match, visit our live scorecard.

You can also view our live game log.

Michael Clarke was the last man out for 41, slogging to Hashim Amla at deep midwicket off the bowling of Paul Harris.

The struggling Mike Hussey found some much-needed runs, ending up unbeaten on 45 including one hefty six off Makhaya Ntini.

He was dropped on 37 by Dale Steyn at deep midwicket off the same bowler.

Morkel (2 for 38) was the pick of the South African attack, dismissing Ricky Ponting (53) and Matthew Hayden (39).

Both players chopped deliveries onto their stumps with Hayden going in almost identical fashion to the first innings.

His score was his highest of the summer and it is yet to be seen whether he will remain in the side for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Ponting stroke to the wicket on a king pair and almost got it, attempting to pull out of a Morkel delivery but somehow snicking it just past his stumps for a lucky boundary.

From there he was dominant, hammering 53 off 56 balls before throwing his wicket away.

Simon Katich (61) was given out lbw despite Steyn not appealing.

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and first slip Jacques Kallis went up half-heartedly and a bewildered Katich only realised his fate after reaching the non-striker’s end.

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